The following is a summary of market prices and conditions of North Carolina farm products for December 06, 2018 reported by the Federal-State Markets News Service of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. All livestock is state reported.

Cattle: At the livestock auctions held Wednesday in North Wilkesboro and Norwood a total of 1,360 cattle and no goats were sold. When compared to the previous week’s sales, slaughter cattle were unevenly steady. Feeder steers were sharply lower, heifers were mostly $1.00 to $6.00 higher, and bulls were mostly $2.00 to $9.50 lower. Demand ranged light to good with market activity and buyer interest moderate. Offerings of cattle were moderate. Cattle quality was plain to average. Average dressing slaughter cows brought $43-$54, with high dressing up to $56. Average dressing slaughter bulls, 1000 lbs. & up, sold were $63-$74, with high dressing ranging $74-$75. 400-500 lbs. M&L 1-2 feeder steers were $125-$147, 500-600 lbs. ranged $102-$140. M&L 1-2 feeder heifers, 400-500 lbs. ranged $108-$129, 500-600 lbs. were $109-$113. M&L 1-2 feeder bulls, 400-500 lbs. were $135-$147.50, 500-600 lbs. ranged $114-$135.

Broiler-Fryers: The North Carolina broiler-fryer market was steady, and the live supply was adequate to meet the moderate demand. Average weights were heavy. The estimated slaughter for Thursday in North Carolina was 2,945,000 head compared to 3,180,000 head last Thursday.

Eggs: The market was lower on Extra Large and Medium, steady on the balance. Supplies were moderate to heavy. Retail demand was moderate. Weighted average prices for small lot sales of grade A eggs delivered to nearby retail outlets: Extra Large 151.71, Large 148.30, Medium 108.74, and Small 78.00.

Cotton: The strict-low middling one and one sixteenth Southeast average price is 77.08 cents per pound; the U.S. average is 74.51 cents per pound.

Grain: U.S. 2 yellow shelled corn was 2 cents lower when compared to last report. Prices ranged $4.17-$4.62 at feed mills and $3.84-$4.23 at elevators; new crop $4.26-$4.56. U.S. 1 yellow soybeans were 4 cents lower. Prices were $8.74-$8.99 at the processors and ranged $8.29-$8.75 at the elevators; new crop $8.94-$9.40. U.S. 2 soft red winter wheat was 2 cents lower; prices were $3.92-$4.42 at the feed mills and $4.07-$4.22 at the elevators; new crop $4.12-$4.91. Soybean meal, f.o.b. at processing plants, was $345.00 per ton for 48% protein.